Robert L. Gearhart

Robert L. Gearhart, 88, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 6:10 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Community Care Center in Monmouth, Illinois. He was born on May 8, 1924 in rural Raritan, Illinois, and is the son of W.D. and Clara E. (Allison) Gearhart. He was raised in Rural Raritan, Illinois and attended Maynard rural Grade School. He then attended Media High School in Media, Illinois. He married Frances L. Waring on July 22, 1945 in Stronghurst, Illinois and she is surviving. Robert was a farmer in the Raritan and Avon areas for many years. He also worked for a time at Knox Box Company in Galesburg, Illinois, and Gambles Skogmo in Monmouth, until it's closure; and then he picked orders for Dick Blick in Galesburg, Illinois until his retirement in 2004. Robert is a member of the Monmouth congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses where he has been actively involved in it's volunteer Bible education work. Robert is survived by his wife Frances; three daughters; Roberta Kay (Prentice) McMahill of Monmouth, Janice Sue (James) Meyer of Avon, Illinois, and Terri Lynn (the late Larry) Churchill of Chillicothe, Illinois. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, with three more expected, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters; Evelyn (Wayne) Claybaugh, Mildred (Virgil) Jarvis, Frances (Ardell) Perrine, and Margaret (Melbourne) Krohn. Also preceding were several nieces and nephews. Services:A memorial service is being planned on Sunday April 20th, in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness at 2:00 pm. A private burial with his family will precede the service on Saturday. His family plans a fellowship time following the service on Sunday at the Kingdom Hall. Memorial funds have been established for either the Monmouth Nursing Home or OSF Hospice. For more information, please visit turnbullfuneralhomes.com.